Detainees with disabilities whose physical, sensory, intellectual
or psychosocial disability is not recognised or not sufficiently
taken into account face shameful conditions of detention. States
all too often violate the human rights of detainees with disabilities
by failing to take into account their needs.

The four fundamental principles of equality, non-discrimination,
accessibility and reasonable accommodation must always be respected
regarding detainees with disabilities. States must also guarantee
them fair access to justice and ensure that persons whose condition
is incompatible with detention are not imprisoned but given an alternative
sentence.

To better protect the rights of detainees with disabilities,
States should take all necessary measures to identify the possible
disabilities of every person entering the criminal justice system
and provide for the needs of detainees with disabilities. They should
guarantee them access to and continuity of care. Prisons should
be laid out so as to ensure their accessibility to all detainees,
and information should be provided in an accessible format. A sufficient
range of activities should also be available to them. To prevent
violations of the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment,
it is also essential to train prison staff and those working in
the criminal justice system on all forms of disability.